Island County Sheriff Mark Brown said two corrections deputies are on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into possible department policy violations following the death of an inmate in his cell.

Corrections deputies reported finding Keaton Farris, 25, deceased in his jail cell at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday, April 8.

A detective with the Sheriff’s Office and the Island County coroner are investigating the death.

“We’ve reached out to the family,” Brown said, “and are doing what we can to release information to them as we can.”

Farris was being held on an identify theft charge out of San Juan County and was incarcerated at the Island County jail since March 26, 2015, according to the sheriff.

Brown said Farris was by himself in a “safety room” at the jail when he died. The room is different than the “blue room” or behavioral modification room at the jail and more like an ordinary cell, the sheriff said.

Farris was living on Lopez Island and graduated from high school there but attended Coupeville High School during his sophomore and junior years. He was on the track and football teams.

Ken Stange, Farris’ former English teacher, described him as “a personable guy who had a certain magnetism about him.”

“Although I didn’t know him too well, it was obvious that he was passionate about sports and the people he cared about,” he said. “Damn, that kid was fast, even in the hallways.”

Online court records show that Farris was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail and ordered to be evaluated by Western State Hospital for competency to stand trial.

“We appreciate everyone’s desire for more meaningful details and we will make every effort to keep the community informed while balancing the interests of the family and the employees,” Brown said.

“Perhaps most important we wish to turn the focus back toward our heartfelt sympathy for the families and friends who are suffering from this unfortunate loss.”